Wise Weeds Botanicals

Friday, August 01, 2008

Resurrection Plant Rose of Jericho Dinosaur Plant

This plant pictured above is in a teacup. It's a very small plant compared to most of the plants I have (although the smaller ones would be great for doll houses, in my opinion!)

Resurrection Plant or Rose of Jericho

Selaginella pilifera also known as the Resurrection flower, is a desert plant growing in the sands of Egypt, Arabia, Syria and Mexico. For long periods, these 'roses' live in desert regions, growing and reproducing as any other plant until the environment no longer supports an adequate existence. When this time comes, the flowers and leaves are dead and fallen, they lose moisture and the drying branches curl inwards, forming a round ball.They retract their roots from the soil and allow the desert winds to carry them across the desert, until one day they arrive in a damp place where they can continue to grow and spread.

The ball then expands again, opens flat on the ground and deposits its seeds, which germinate. Once watered, the dried-up looking young plants soon begin to bud. You could say they feel their way through this process,as they don't necessarily remain in the first place they stop, but feel into the nature of the place to see if it is adequate to enhance growth. There they may stay, and grow, or indeed they may move again many times.

This amazing little resurrection plant is often sold as a novelty due its incredible ability to turn from a dry ball to a lush looking plant ove night when placed in a dish of water. These plants have used this ability to survive since prehistoric times.Therefore another common name given to them is "the dinosaur plant."Great for show and tell, too, as every kid is amazed at watching one of these wonders of nature unfold and seemingly come to life again.